The Worst Plant I Ever Planted: Tithonia Diversifolia aka Mexican Sunflower

I donʻt hate very many plants, but there is one that is a clear winner in my book, the Tithonia Diversifolia. Also known as Mexican Sunflower, this plant has been nothing but a nuisance ever since it showed up on my property.
Learn from my mistake. Get instructions on how to properly care for this potentially invasive plant that you might just want to think twice about planting.
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[@saltyaussie9482]

After seeing this video I am definitely going to plant a hedge of Mexican sunflower for privacy from my nosey neighbours.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It works great for that!

[@yuccalyptus]

Lmao me too

[@luke-270]

Castor Bean is nice. We have them planted with Cannas Bananas different varieties of Sunflowers. Mexican is one of the varieties varieties. Comb plant, Jerusalem Artichokes, Okra...nice tall plants that seem to do well with each other. Dogs know to leave it alone. Tell shildren not to eat the spiked balls. Most would never do that.

[@danielleriddler7683]

Haha me too

[@user-id1tm2qf1c]

Omg it will work and quick !!!!!

[@alun5903]

I planted it as a privacy fence across the back of my yard and down one side of my yard. Mine doesn't "pop up" all over the place. Each plant grows very tall, blooms beautifully, and stays put. I and the birds and bees love it!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I wish I could say the same. When mine grow old, some stalks get leggy, fall over and root again. I prune it it roots. It’s horrible at my place.

[@alun5903]

@@HomesteadinHawaii Have you seen this video? Mine do like this guy's. There must be different cultivars or something. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3vNgmyObqp_kMk

[@joshua511]

@alun5903 What zone? I'm in 6A so it would just be an annual for me.

[@laviniapoholarz3923]

I'm so sorry this happened. We are in zone 5 so it's beautiful and dies back quickly in winter.

[@missmama3900]

Yea, i dont see what the problem is

[@lenering1084]

Tithonia Diversifolia aka Mexican Sunflower is one the best plants that you can use to feed your soil. You just need to cut it very often and let nature do the work.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I know its good but I just can't keep up. Id rather grow ice cream bean for building soil

[@lalila72]

There are apparently two types. The one that grows via seed is the one you have. I love mine, I planted several as a privacy screen from a nosy neighbor. Mine doesn't grow from seeds but can propagate if you stick a thick piece in the dirt-- most of the time. Its a beautiful useful bush, the flowers are beautiful , and smell like honey. Neighbors compliment it constantly (except for the nosy one) and the polinators love it. It does grow very fast. I know this as a Bolivian sunflower. I hope people give it a chance, its so lovely.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Ours does not really propagate by seed but by branch. Anywhere a branch falls more will grow. It is troublesome where we live

[@danihall3676]

This plant is one of our absolute favorites in our system. We have a sterile cultivar, so we've never had any issues with sprouts. They are a workhorse of a plant for us. They provide incredible nutrients in the form of chop and drop and compost tea, a privacy screen from our neighbors, beautiful cut flowers for us, and flowers for the pollinators. They smell divine and they are also absolutely gorgeous even without flowers. I'm terribly sorry you have had such a negative experience, but depending on the situation this plant is a joy. 💜🌼

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

My wife wanted it for flowers. Now its everywhere! You live and learn

[@marcusaloc]

I'd like to have this plant by seeds. Do you know how to break its dormency? Thanks.

[@nunyabiznes33]

It's fragrant?

[@nichelehuseby]

I love it too❤

[@danihall3676]

@@nunyabiznes33 Yes it is mildly fragrant.

[@CynthiaLamb-jf2md]

I absolutely love Mexican sunfĺowers . I plant them every summer.I live in MO.where the winter kills them, but I save seeds and sow them in the spring.The butterflies come by the dozens to the flowers.I have the orange and the yellow and can fill my whole yard with this beautiful flower.🎉

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

That’s cool they grow there. Here in Hawaii they can get out of control

[@FarmedandForaged]

This is one of my very favorite plants. I don't think that you should necessarily be advising everyone against using it because of your experience with it. I have used it extensively, and it takes maintenance, but you are wasting your time chopping back the foliage with a machete. The most efficient way to maintain Tithonia is to cut the woody stems right down to the base with a pair of loppers once the plant is established. This doesn't hurt the plant as it will just continue to regrow, and you can keep it small & continue getting a consistent source of biomass from the pruned material, and allowing the plant to accumulate phosphorus in your soil. I have kept very established & mature plants as small bushes for many months with a small amount of maintenance.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

In the video I do share itʻs benefits, but for most home gardeners, this is not the plant. At least people should be aware of what could happen, because without that knowledge, you can end up where Iʻm at.

[@marcusaloc]

Do you know how to break the seeds dormency for this plant? Thanks

[@msdramamusic]

​@@marcusalocthis plant has sterile seeds it does not spread via seeds you gave to get cuttings to grow it.

[@marcusaloc]

@@msdramamusic Thanks for the answer. To be honest I have no problems to germinate the seeds from this plant. It's usual to see it growing under the trees. I can't say the same for Montanoa bipinnatifida. This last one is impossible to germinate the seeds. Hugs from Brazil.

[@Janekgeddis]

This is his channel, offering his experience and opinions. Is the whole point, 🤨

[@wellfedcaterpillar]

Here in IL, tithonia doesn't come back after winter. I am a native plant nerd. I'm converting 80+% of my property to plants native to my area. But I do put in tithonia every once in awhile for end of summer nectar. I was worried the first season that it would reseed, because it is indeed a monster in small urban spaces. Thank God, it didn't come back! That means it's fairly safe here -- now and then. I can't imagine fighting it the way you have to. :(

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I just left for two months and cut it all back before I left. It’s bigger than before I cut it.

[@cflory62]

I live in Kansas and it's one of (if not the main) routes the Monarchs take in the late summer/fall to their winter grounds in Mexico. I have large native plant/flower beds + Milkweed for the caterpillars. Once I planted the Tithonia (the ORANGE variety), the Monarchs made a beeline for it. They bypass EVERYTHING else! If you deadhead the flowers, it will continue to set on new flowers until the first freeze. When everything else was dying during our hot/dry late summer and the Monarchs were desperate for food, the TITHONIA was flourishing/blooming! To keep it from taking over, just pull out the babies by the handful in the spring and drop them on the ground to provide shade/mulch (or transplant the strongest ones somewhere else) - leaving only the ones in the locations where you want them to grow (keep them about 1-1/2 - 2 feet back from the edges of flowerbeds/walkways - they get big/wide!) DEADHEAD to control the seedheads, and yank out the babies you don't want before/when they are knee-high. We lost 60% of the remaining Monarchs this past year, and 90% of what to be a MASSIVE population just a decade ago - provide Milkweed (NOT TROPICAL milkweed! It hosts OE that is KILLING THEM!) and flowers they love APLENTY!!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I'm glad this plant is loved in some places, it is pretty

[@KellenChase]

“Is that what you want to happen on your homestead?” Sitting in dry land Arizona “kinda, yea?”

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Different problems in different places. Too much biomass for me while for you it would be very welcome I’m sure

[@susanb974]

My neighbor has these against our common fence. Last year I had none, this year I have a wall 5 feet deep and 8 ft tall before blooming. They’re sprouting all over my yard and are a complete nuisance. She also planted Trumpet Vine which is also sprouting all over. I spend most of my outdoor time taking care of her gardening fiasco. This is in central New York and I believe the sunflower is on the state’s“do not plant” list because of its invasive nature.

[@AB-xb2ph]

I have terrible soil and cannot get anything to grow. Lol. So I am hoping this grows. I have wild rabbits and I have donkeys and pigs that I could unleash on it. Fingers crossed it grows just a little for me

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

As long as you have a plan to manage it. Good luck!

[@MateoKupstysChica]

Dude! how is it going with the MS? I would like to know if pigs eat it! I've heard pigs and rabbits like it a lot!

[@dawnkeckley7502]

“Is Mexican Sunflower Invasive? Not to be confused with a different plant altogether, Tithonia Rotundifolia is not invasive. You may plant it freely and comfortably. Another variety of Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) poses a high invasion risk according to the University of Florida.” I grew Fiesta del Sol, a dwarf rotundifolia, last year. I sure hope this info I quoted is correct.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Yup

[@homesteadhawaii]

There are lots of sunflowers that are called Mexican sunflower, the one he has is very invasive double make sure you are getting the right one

[@EcoscapeIndia]

IT IS INVASIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theproperty541]

Very help full I just got Tithonia rotundifolia from baker creek

[@peanutcampbell]

Mine are very invasive!!! Blooms here in Georgia late October and November.

[@dadalacks]

Mine only grows from cuttings. I love it. Green fertilizer, pollinators, biomass. Love this cultivar. I want it to spread. It’s not going anywhere unless I directly grow a cutting.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It is a good plant if it doesnt go crazy where you live

[@ainabearfarm8075]

Aloha Shawn! It is definitely the most useful plant we have in our food forest but I think you are exactly right about how wet your area is. Up in Hamakua, we dry out much more regularly so I very rarely have an issue of it sprouting where I don’t want it. In fact, it took me awhile to get it going because i had to make sure to water it regularly. We use it mostly for an instant wind break and mulch of course. I’ve seen it in spots where it takes over though and it can be a monster.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I wish it were that case for me. Because it is a monster here in Pahoa.

[@tammyrenee64]

@@HomesteadinHawaii and here I'm thinking they loved the heat and drought conditions 🤔idk

[@ChristineD2]

I plant this in pots during the summer season for the hummingbirds. But the woodchucks keep devouring them right down to the dirt! Frustrating. And then if they are allowed to grow and bloom, the squirrels eat the entire flower part. So I've sort of given up.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Wow! Totally different problem from what I have. I miss squirrels

[@SlipMahoneyBowery]

I grow it from seed every year in Zone 6. It’s the only fertilizer I use. Chop and drop into the garden and compost. Never gets out of hand. I grow 4-5 plants and chop every month or so. I would recommend it.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Just keep it out of zones 11 & 12 or prepare accordingly

[@hilaryduffield2552]

How do you get the seeds to germinate? I've never had any luck with that so got cuttings instead - am now trying to overwinter them in Zone 8.

[@SlipMahoneyBowery]

@@hilaryduffield2552 i winter sowed it in milk jugs and got above 50% germination. It doesn’t like to be transplanted though. It gets super shocked. When it gets hot it takes off.

[@pacjam418]

I’m in 6b and I bet the cooler weather keeps it in check. I’m growing it this year.

[@SlipMahoneyBowery]

@@pacjam418 it does. Down South it can get out of control. No worries for us up north

[@pvasshep]

I hope this video doesn't discourage people from planting this in appropriate zones. While it does sound like a nightmare in Hawaii, in Maryland, it's an annual and I've never heard of anyone who doesn't love having it in their yard. (I was shocked that this video was nearly the top result when I googled "Mexican Sunflower.")

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It's interesting because I was making it from a Hawaii perspective and didn't think it would get much viewing beyond that.

[@kingtutt61]

I enjoyed you saying…..”think twice before you plant” versus saying don’t plant this. That’s for each individual to decide. Thanks for your advise. I enjoyed your video.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Thanks, I feel like people who comment on this video only saw the thumbnail, in my experience, what's invasive in one climate zone does not mean it is invasive in another.

[@kingtutt61]

@@HomesteadinHawaii exactly. Thanks

[@RandomRob3000]

Your experience proves the adage to 'Do Your Research before you plant!' If you had done that, you would know that this plant is perennial in Zones 9 and higher, and that it's best for poor soils with little water. Given a warm climate and plenty of water this plant (and MANY others that typically 'winter kill' on the continent, but are actually perennial in mild climates) will quickly outgrow their welcome.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Completely. And that’s why I made this video. To help inform others

[@spicyritas4795]

@@HomesteadinHawaiithanks for that cuz I almost planted it.

[@andrewmiadavila6342]

Oh my God! You were cracking me up. I love your vibe so much. I'm sitting here staring at the packet of Mexican Sunflower I picked up on a whim yesterday. Lol! I had no idea! Thank you for the warning .... because no....I do not want to spend all day hacking it up and finding it growing in random places. That's just hilarious!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

That's why I made the video. It's not invasive for everyone, but in the wet tropics, watch out!!

[@SaintNjuguna]

I planted Mexican sunflower about year 2000 as a hedge arround our home, true it's medicinal, but unchecked it's messy alot

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It can be both beautiful and a pain In the okole

[@fruitfullivingcostarica]

Man its well worth it! Mexican Sunflower is one of my favorite support species for for food forests. Would choose it over Ice Cream Bean if had to choose.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It was mine too, until I pruned it then had them popping up everywhere. I only cut my ice cream bean 1x per year. These damn sunflowers, every other month and then I got to haul the debris or it roots. I’m no fan.

[@tammyrenee64]

I grew these last year from a pack of wild flower seeds that i planted, and i loved it, so much so that i harvested lots of the seeds and there growing right now, also here in North Georgia, they bloomed till Winter 🫶✌️🤱

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

They probably don’t root whenever the branches touch the ground where you live

[@tammyrenee64]

@@HomesteadinHawaii I'm sure your right about that, cause this part of Georgia, you never know what the weather is gonna be, I'm right on the Georgia/Tennessee line, and we have some really cold days here, I actually planted them in those little kiddie pools, keeps the weeds out and that's what works for me with my Ra, and they growed like crazy, at least 10 to 12 feet tall, the butterflies, hummingbirds loved them, only down fall I had with them was the bee's, cause I'm allergic, and when I would dead head them, I had to fight the bee's 😱 and I mean the bees actually took over🤔✌️ and wanted to add, last year we had an awlful summer as far as the heat and drought conditions, and I think they actually thrived, thou other things I planted, not so well🥶🥵

[@SandcastleDreams]

Well, my neighbor has it along his fence line. He cuts it twice a year with no problems. I'm in Central FL. With all of the reports of aminopyralid and clopyralid in compost and hay, I'm growing it to make my own compost because all I've got on our new property is sand, sand and more sand. With the herbicide life being passed through animal manures, you can't even trust that! So, this is about my only hope of making compost without risk of poisoning my property.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

May it stay in control, for your sake. Twice a year would not cut it for me. More like 2xʻs per month

[@SandcastleDreams]

@@HomesteadinHawaii 2x per month would be a blessing! But we probably wouldn't get that kind of growth here. I'm moving up two growing zones north from where we are currently. I literally need TONS of compost! We have nothing but sand here.

[@manjawarner3162]

@@SandcastleDreams same in central Florida. Tithonia diversifolia is found in many landscapes in our area. It is always contained to a clump or hedge. Most of these clumps are unattended and are left to grow naturally. I do not see them growing rampantly or spreading beyond the clump or hedge and I know these people aren't out there keeping them in check. I also personally know several folks growing it for biomass/chop&drop and theirs is also not growing out of bounds. I just started mine last fall and have only started utilizing as chop and drop, but where I've dropped it, it hasn't sprouted. It has readily/easily sprouted where I have deliberately stuck it into the ground to start a new clump though. 👍

[@SandcastleDreams]

@@manjawarner3162 Thank you!

[@danacarbone9405]

We love the Mexican sunflower if they come up to much you can just use a weed eater It has drawn so many butterflies and hummingbirds we love

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

To each their own, just don’t let it spread

[@laurasteber5194]

Hey thanks for this. I'm considering planting it and well now not so much. but that's not to say its not a good thing. I do not have room, live in the city - so it will be in a very large container of some kind .I have euonymus that grows that fast and I chop it way back.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It wants to be big

[@deborahmorgan8129]

I have this plant all over my yard in clumps and love it- dies back each year and comes back. Amazing fertilizer- my chickens don’t bother it. It’s only invasive if you let it. Chop it sell it pay off your mortgage because big box stores don’t carry it.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It works in some places and not in others

[@doloinc]

Probably the most useful non-food plant I have. PS: Tithonia diversifolia is known as Bolivian sunflower. Mexican sunflower is Tithonia rotundifolia.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

For some it is super useful, for most others it is a plant that roots in contact the moment it touches the ground. I mentioned its usefulness, but people do need to know its drawbacks as well. So many other plants that can be chopped and dropped without rooting when doing it. And for most average homesteaders, thats where they should be leaning

[@gardeningunderinfluence]

You’re sorta right but not. The Tithonia diversifolia (T.D.) is known by both the Mexican and Bolivian Sunflowers. It’s a different plant from the Tithonia Rotundifolia (T.R.) which also shares the name ‘Mexican Sunflower’. T.R are red and also go by ‘Red Sunflower’

[@peanutcampbell]

That yellow Daisy like flower plant is what we call “Mexican Sunflower” and they are so invasive … I am constantly pulling the roots up which grow runners and sprout up all over my Georgia garden. Mine starts blooming in late October. They are very tough and would be great in a place where you can’t get grass to grow. But the flowers are very pretty and grow over your head.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Sounds like you have the same problem.

[@msdramamusic]

Mexican sunflowers don't grow from runners. Sounds like you have sun chocks the only way the plant grows is if the branch hits the ground and roots. The seeds are sterile so it doesn't spread from seeds.

[@8cupsCoffee]

THANK YOU! A neighbor gifted me some seeds, I didn't ask for them but she offered and was very enthusiastic and gave me a bunch. I don't have the land for this. 😅 thanks for the heads up, you saved my a--

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Yeah. Tht plants cool if you have the space...and time

[@laviniapoholarz3923]

Or in cold 🥶 zones...I grew one and they hate the cold, so it bloomed beautifully and then is gone at first frost here. Zone 5

[@tanifstephenson]

Thank you for the video. I recently moved into a rental where the neighbors on either side have allowed it to take over their back yards and now it’s creeping under the fence and encroaching into mine. It’s a nasty plant.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Ooops! You don't live next to me do you? I'm trying to keep it in check.

[@thisistheway5770]

I love this plant. Grow it every year in my garden. Brings an array of pollinators. I do grow them in containers and deadhead, so no chance of taking over. In this day and age with Google and KZbin, no one should be surprised as to how a plant will grow if they do their research 🙂

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Unfortunately when I got this plant there was no youtube

[@PictureMaria1]

I love mine. It has so many great benefits in my garden/food forest. It provides shade, fertilizer, food for pollinators and my rabbits and helps amend and regenerate good soil. Mine also grows larger but stays put and makes a great privacy hedge.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I made the mistake of making a pile for clippings in different spots when I first got the plant and now it's everywhere, but that's not the case for everyone, what's invasive where I live may not be invasive where you live

[@raffaelerispoli1590]

🤣 you made me laugh a lot. great content and great spirit!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Glad you enjoyed

[@krislange1186]

if you want invasive try Bindweed, Virginia creeper, black walnut trees and Redbuds. I can't even get my butterfly bush to come back. What may be the worst plant for one person, may be the best plant for another person.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

All depends on where you are I guess

[@dotnothing5620]

It's going to really depend on the ecosystem it is planted in. If someone in Canada plants it, they will have a different experience than in Hawaii.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Definitely, I mention that in the video, even in spots here on the big island, it won't get invasive everywhere.

[@thechief762]

You got lazy and didn't seek out advice on how to manage this plant. You wanted to see flowers and left it to grow too tall. You have let hard branches root in where they weren't wanted. Clearly it is not a plant you are prepared to work with and should remove it. Cut to a stump and with paintbrush paint 40% glyphosate on the stumps within 5 minutes. If any sprouts come back, paint them it will be gone. For those who have the same situation and want to drive its benefits, clear it back to a stump. If you have stumps you can chainsaw them flush to the ground. When it resprouts, no need to use any tools. At about 2 feet high, just use your hands and snap off the tender young sprouts. Those are highest in green matter and make good forage or green matter. They will decompose very well at that stage and you can google tithonia nutrient analysis to see dry weight analysis of green matter is equal to cow manure. I planted 600 of these this year in addition to hundreds more already being managed. It is good if properly managed evry six weeks.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

What you mentioned is what I do now but man, 600! I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Good luck.

[@hilaryduffield2552]

Thanks for this advice - I'm trying it for the first time in Zone 8/9 (protecting it over winter with a back-up in a pot so it will survive), but this seems like a really good way to harvest it to get the best biomass quality.

[@johncrow5072]

Hey chief - im trying to find more information on controlling these . I like when they flower but they die back ugly (Im in zone 11 i guess? In bermuda - its very hot). Should I be cutting them down to stomp after they bloom and die back or just 1/3 off the top ? The more blooms the better - good for the bees and its nice to look at from top of the hill but that sea of gold just turns to black death mid summer...

[@JohnDoe-nf2ok]

I think I successfully rooted all 13 TD cuttings that I received from Florida. Before you ask me why I'm ordering TD cuttings from Fl when I live in CA, I don't know, but you better believe they showed up seven days later through 110 degree heat with only a damp towel in a ziplock bag. They were growing in the bag. In this drought stricken hell hole, I'm going to grow some biomass.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Let’s see if drought can stop them

[@DavidTheHappenings]

This is my favorite plant for pollinators. Tithonia attracts more butterflies to my garden than any other flower, including the Butterfly Bush. Here in Illinois, it grows as an annual. I have to replant every year from seeds. I love this plant! I wish it came back every year. But there is no danger of this becoming an invasive species in zone 8 or less.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It's a great plant, if it didn't root so readily where we live

[@yaakovina]

I agree with you, and I’ve dug up half of mine. It’s a good privacy screen, but it’s a huge hassle to constantly deal with. I need to correct one thing: it’s actually sterile, so it’s not spreading by seed. But it will spread if you lay the green stalks on the ground; they’ll root and grow in place!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

💯

[@vidaripollen]

In india also a beautiful but hopeless invasive displacing native flora

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

In some places it is just no good

[@PRDreams]

Those grow quick! My dad planted some less than 12 month ago to create a tunnel of Mexican sunflowers in the private road leading to his house (a distance of about 80 feet) and the tunnel is already there. Thankfully, the forest canopy here is quite thick and it doesn't allow for the cuttings to take over. They seem to need moisture, but also full sun... or they decompose easily. So sorry you are having issues with it. I am neighbors with my parents and can see the tunnel from my house (we are at the top of the mountain) and it is always in bloom and looking beautiful.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It seems to be pretty hit or miss on its ability to be invasive, but watch out when the conditions are right!

[@robinberman2717]

I would love to see the tunnel

[@susanb974]

My neighbor has these against our common fence. Last year o had none. This year I have a wall 5 feet deep and 8 ft tall before blooming. They’re sprouting all over my yard and are a complete nuisance. She also planted Trumpet Vine which is also sprouting all over. I spend most of my outdoor time taking care of her gardening fiasco. This is in central New York and I believe the sunflower is on the state’s do not plant list because of its invasive nature.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Like I said, Plants need a warning label

[@homesteadfarms5315]

Wow thankfully on my property it has only grown where I plant it. its a bummer it's spreading like that where you are. Mahalo for this knowledge 🙏

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Definitely seems to have a small window for becoming invasive, unfortunately Iʻm in one it seems.

[@TheIan818]

I never planted it. It just showed up on my land. It’s pretty, but yeah spreads way too quickly and is a pain to remove!!!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Just showed up huh? Thatʻs what Iʻm talking about.

[@spearageddon3279]

Almost bought some yesterday but decided to wait ..... so glad I did!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Good choice!

[@spearageddon3279]

@@HomesteadinHawaii so I looked up the variety I was looking at yesterday and it's different than yours ... the one I saw is orange and called Rotundifolia (or "Torch") vs your Diversifolia. Seems this orange one is grown more commonly as an annual (many YT vids on this one) and I don't believe it's invasive like the Diversifolia. Will do a little more research, but just thought I would share.

[@denisemiller8474]

Oh goodness I planted seeds this year bought them at the grocery store from burpee seeds. Oh no. They haven’t come up yet planted over a month ago. I live in eastern Washington where it’s hot and dry. I think I’ll weed it out before it sprouts . But then again I’m in a rental house and. the landlord is a jerk maybe I’ll leave it lol hee hee ..

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

They're not going to spread where you live. It's the moist tropical climates where its a problem

[@Soviless99]

at least it isnt rubber mulch like some gardeners family members seem to insist on its greatness

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It does have some uses

[@rekhadavid9463]

I am a beginner. Many thanks for the warnings. 😊

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

No problem

[@Greeneggsandham123]

One of the absolute best flower for butterflies and pollinators. Plant it every year.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It’s great if it doesn’t resprout everywhere

[@createcontentconnect]

headache plant... it appeared in our homestead.. probably the pollen or seeds was carried away by birds or wind? not so sure. one of the ways our gardeners stop it from growing is to burn the stems... but eventually, with the roots still intact, they regrow... SO what I did, I painstakingly removed the roots, very hard to destroy with a hoe esp when the roots are already so big.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

At least someone out there feels my pain!

[@deborahmorgan8129]

I was under the impression that the seeds are sterile and you need a cutting to propagate- mine are 25 feet tall right now in august

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

The seeds don't grow but drop a cutting in the wrong place!! Watch out!

[@lenering1084]

I planted Mexican sunflower in my backyard in Phoenix AZ two years ago. I love everything about this plant, except the fact that it grows very slowly here.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It all depends on where you plant it

[@lenering1084]

@@HomesteadinHawaii, I have 3 plants, in diferente places, and they all grow too slowly

[@pmgrogersanderson9426]

They Grow Like Trees, The Stem drops to the ground, they root quick, you cut it off from your property, it crawls back in some way or another, you kill, somehow its there again. You dont give it soil, it grows and roots on the cement road, walls, anywhere. My only thanks for this plant are bees, fertilizer, ground holder, moisture, stakes, fence, shade, firewood, trellis, spear, and ash, thats pretty much it, so many uses but definitely annoying

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Agreed!

[@pachamamateve888]

Mine needs to take over, I only have 5 growing apart from each other, can’t wait til it takes over lol I needed it for soil and privacy and hello beautiful aesthetic

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

They've probably filled in since you wrote this comment :)

[@8francesco]

how interesting. here is so cal tithonia doesn't even get woody. your tropical climate makes things so different. good luck with that.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Crazy what a little rain will do.

[@BryceGarling]

It's a strange plant. Some places it's invasive but all the ones I see in florida seem to stay. Goats and pet rabbits I know eat it. No deer or wild animals touch it.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Even at different elevations where I live it can either go crazy or stay out. It’s wierd

[@danashields5420]

we live in usda zone 7a, so I'm assuming the winter will kill it. We have a 5 acre "pasture" and I think it might be extremely valuable to create a lot of biomass for the compost bin.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

There it should grow well for you, it'll die back

[@pacjam418]

I bought Mexican Sunflower seeds to plant this year. I live in the Northeast US & most plants die back in the cold & snow. If plants don’t die here, they are somewhat kept in checked due to the weather. Hoping it’s not as invasive here because I really love the way it looks.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

You’ll be fine. It lives east hawaii

[@pacjam418]

A good way to keep invasives in check…live in the cold. My sister in Cali can’t plant some things there because their invasive. Me on the other hand can plant the same things no problem @@HomesteadinHawaii

[@nichelehuseby]

One of my favorite plants to grow ! I love tithonia and so do the hummingbirds and bumblebees !

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

As long as you know what you’re doing

[@nichelehuseby]

@@HomesteadinHawaii yep, my 3rd year planting them:)

[@onimandisa7304]

The tithonia diversifolia is invasive in Florida, but I’m going to try tithonia rotundifolia as it is not invasive.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

That should work out for you.

[@zxcvbob]

Good video. I like tithonias, but they are an annual here and I've never had volunteers the next year; they just don't get a chance to ripen many seeds (Minnesota) and the winter kills them. Monarch butterflies and bees love them. My brother lives in Texas and they are a minor nuisance there but easily controlled; the winter kills them there too but they spread by seeds and he has to pull up volunteers. I can see how in Hawaii they might get out of control; especially if the plants are perennial in that climate. ETA: the ones I've grown are tithonia rotundifolia (variety "Torch"), not diversifolia.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I hear rotundifolia is less invasive but out here in parts of Hawaii the diversifolia gets out of control.

[@joneyedoc]

Try the blue sky vine growing along side that tree daisy. You will regret the blue sky vine growing in a few months.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I know that vine, they are a pain too

[@Gmiyas]

Aloha Shawn! I'm up in Waiakea uka and planted this before watching your video. I agree it can become very difficult to deal with unless you diligently cut back the green stems and avoid dropping the brown stems. It does seem to produce way more organic material than ice cream bean and less woody. Gliricidia produces a lot of organic material but slow to establish. Any other recommendations for mulch trees? And did you figure out a way to easily maintain or kill back the Mexican sunflower. It seems like I might have both of the varieties as one is more woody than the other. Mahalo nui for this informative video!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It does produce a lot of organic matter but I just don't have the time. I like my ice cream bean, I like my gunpowder and albezia, I don't plant the latter but if they spring up in a zone 3 garden I keep them shrub size, they produce a decent amount but I only need to do it once every 3 months or so, not once every 3 weeks with mexican sunflower and I don't have to worry about any cuttings rooting either. As for killing them, I've noticed if I let them get old, then chop the base and then keep chopping it over a few weeks it will finally die off, or dig them out with a machine, which is what the roads crew just did at my place, kind of a blessing and a curse because it was my plant hedge between the house and the road but now I can plat something more manageable.

[@skylady64ish93]

It is a pollinator magnet and organic fertilizer, I can’t wait for mine to start growing. 🌸🐛🦋🐝🥰

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

And an invasive plant in certain parts of Puna

[@trishferrer8209]

I live in 7B, W. TN, and Mex sunflower is an annual here, so I probably won't have the problem you do. Yours must be growing year'round!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Year round and then some!

[@thefarmerken9130]

Tithonia diversifolia is a perennial in warmer climates. Tithonia rotundifolia is an annual. They are both go by the common name Mexican sunflower.

[@luke-270]

Other plant varieties that are are taller and good for privacy, include Castor bean, Cannas, Bananas, other sunflower varieties, one is well advised to mulch early in the spring and continue to reapply as needed throughout the growing season . Research any plant variety before planting it your gardens. Cannabis is another, Jerusalem Artichoke, Elephant Grass, Okra, Comb Plant, Arunda Donax. Best time is in the garden! ❤🧡🌿🌻🦋🌼🌺🌱😊😊

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Thanks for sharing alternatives.

[@dontfretguitar]

I have this all over my properties for privacy, and I love it! Looking to get the red Mexican Flower next!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

You must live in a place where it doesn't get out of control

[@dontfretguitar]

@@HomesteadinHawaii I live in FL

[@peace4peaceful]

Was going to buy some. Hoped it would be good for our cattle and chickens. Plus I struggle to get enough good compost with a bit more than the hay, grass, weeds ect. I do have pigeon pea growing and some others. Might stick with what I have. Although I'm 7 days a week in the garden.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

If you are a more active gardener then it might work for you, but you have to stay on top of it. My chickens donʻt bother with it, but cows will eat it.

[@peace4peaceful]

@@HomesteadinHawaii thanks for the reply. I had to shift my cows into a new paddock. They ate some sunflowers I had growing. Oops start again. 🙃🙂

[@sheldonmurphy6031]

Neighbors are going to witch hunt you! 🤣🤣🤣 WoW!! That's Crazy!!!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

The plant is out of control

[@joxxxyalpharius2008]

My friend, thank you for your feedback. I will allow myself to remember you this permaculture advice : "The problem is the solution." You have to find it :)

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Yes. Thanks for that. I tried having animals eat it, I’ve tried mowing it down. I’ve tried almost every possible solution and you know what? Sometimes a problem is a problem because it’s the wrong plant in the wrong place.

[@LucyMorningstar999]

One of my favorite plants. I had these when I lived in Florida. For me it was worth the effort. If you don't maintain them properly they will get wild. This plant needs adequate space, you just need one for an large area. You need to prevent the branches from touching the ground because the branches that are touching the ground will root. The seeds are sterile and they do not produce runners, so there should not be a problem if you trim the plants to prevent branches touching the ground. Some people think that they are a bit messy when the leaves turn brown too. Different strokes for different folks. Bees love this plant too, the flowers are beautifully fragrant, and it's a good natural fertilizer option. That being said, every plant is not right for every garden or gardener.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Just seems like too much work for me when there are others that can do the same job with less spread

[@marymalko5105]

@@clb50 they cut it when the branches are still green. About every month. The green young branches don’t root

[@PatriciaLorenti]

I can sit across the street and see the Mexican sunflower over my roof. After hurricane Ian it it took up whole yard when it fell. I keep it at diffheights now.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Yeah, i try and trim mine often as well

[@aBRUSHforCONFUCIUS]

This is why you must container grow any plant to understand if it is invasive. You must also remove all flowers before they seed. The other ways you deal with is to cover with flat stones or a tarp. Also, you need to call the local DEM, otherwise it may be invasive in more than your property, it may become state or region wide. It may wind up destroying habitat. Also, you must only grow non native plants that will not survive without your intervetion. If it loves water, grow it in the desert. If it does not survive winter cokd grow it in the North. But do not, do like the Privet Hedge and give it perfect habitat, unchecked by natural controls. This goes for animals, too. Like Florida and the Bao. Don't be a Dodo!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Should’ve could’ve would’ve, that’s why I’m warning folks

[@lisahoward7090]

Absolutely hate this plant! Mine had a fungus, snails and wood bees and I dug up the roots when it finally rotted. Well it came back with a vengeance and is 15+feet tall in 6 months.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

That's how it goes. It's funny, this plant has some real haters, but others defend it vigorously. Like I said in the video, it all depends on where you are, but be careful regardless.

[@adamjones905]

For the very reasons you hate it are the very reasons I am my colleagues will plant it into our syntropic systems. This plant is a chop and drop dream and exactly what we are looking for.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Canʻt say you havenʻt been warned. I thought the same thing but when every branch roots when dropped, it hasnʻt turned out to be the chop and drop dream it was made out to be, but maybe youʻll have better luck.

[@TheSpicyandFunLife]

Love this plant. My pollinators are in heaven. Good info.🎉 Thanks

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Bees do love it

[@caroleschaub9709]

Couldn't disagree more. I plant this in mid-spring every year from seed and in zone 7-7A where I am it's a very fast growing, prolifically flowering, bee, hummingbird and most importantly, monarch butterfly favorite, and it's healthy - no muss, no fuss, no watering and it flowers for months. It doesn't pop up everywhere and can't survive winters here so it's basically an annual. Highly recommend if you want a lovely, huge abundantly flowering, wildlife attractor.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

That’s great! I did make this video with Hawaii folks in mind and here the plant is invasive

[@gaiaashram6711]

Great biomass plant a permaculture dream. Could you interplant trees/ banana that will shade it out using sheet mulch of cardboard to suppress it around where you grow. The fact that it grows so prolific means you are in good climate and probably have nice soils. Hawai probably has good humidity throughout. I think this plant will grow less prolific in Thailand in our climate with a long dry and a wet season. I would love to have this take over here.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

One persons wish is another persons nightmare.

[@RockMusicEnjoyer]

Bad in tropical regions, but in the UK, or Northern US, it's not a weed, can't become one.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

As I mentioned in the video, it's not even invasive everywhere on this island, just certain spots

[@CVenza]

Too bad you're not enjoying this magnificent plant. Its flowers are perfectly formed and make great cut flowers & medicinal. Perhaps in a flowerpot since you have it already.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

No need for a flower pot. I have more than enough

[@cdbravery]

Here in zone 7 it dies in the winter. Mine just lives to be a beautiful bush and then next year I have to start over

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It seems to work for folks in these cooler climates, but in the tropics, its a weed

[@mireilledesjardins7742]

I am having the same problem but with the Angel's trumpet! Did the mistake of planting on our property's border, they are taking over and sprouting from every stem, woody or green! A nightmare to manage! I have plented the mexican sunflower for the advantages you mentioned, but in a controlled area and now that I saw your video, I will make sure to chop very often and avoid the spread! Thank you!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

They are great if you can chop them back regularly, but having these nightmare plants to manage is no fun.

[@laviniapoholarz3923]

Doesn't spread here in zone 5. Love it here. I never knew this!!!

[@INDONESIABUBAR2030BYSPIZYDORI]

In my area if someone has a bleeding wound, for example his leg when he fell from a bicycle. Then the flower leaves are immediately taken and mashed until the juice is released, after which the mixture is applied to the bruised leg.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

There are a lot of uses for this plant

[@son_60han]

Uraa

[@INDONESIABUBAR2030BYSPIZYDORI]

@@son_60han koko jepry?

[@alisoncherry65]

Are there other varieties of Mexican sunflower as mine is orange and never gets taller than 3 foot

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I think you have Tithonia rotundifolia

[@homesteadhawaii]

There are about 12 common species of Tithonia, one is small three feet tall. Before getting this plant do your research some of them are very invasive.

[@TheSup127]

I think you need some kinda wood chipper. There was a small one at my property that just accidentally got chopped.... I wanted to let it grow bigger. But it has been there for years before I bought the property and seems to die and just grows back yearly. I think I'm at 900 feet...

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It seems to act differently in different places. If I chipped it I’m sure it would be in even more spots

[@usa2342]

I think it depends on the zone you live in, to become a perennial

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

That is very true, I was thinking of it in context to the PUNA district in Hawaii

[@MarkThomas123]

Thanks for the tips... Was thinking about planting for composting crops, but, I get busy and can't worry with something that is going to spread like that.. Especially if it gets loose on my neighbors.. Ha.>ha.. I'll see if something else pops up better.. I live in Western North Carolina. Have to look at the Comfree plant maybe..

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It may act a lot differently for you in North Carolina than for me in hawaii. Even just down the road it acts differently. So don't count it out just yet.

[@hvnbndmatron4672]

I hate comfrey. Also invasive also phyto toxic to other plants. Kills everything around it.

[@MarkThomas123]

@@hvnbndmatron4672 Thanks... Good Warning.. Ha..

[@freespirit2194]

Omg I live in the Australian tropics and thought it would be great for chop and drop now I have a nightmare. Im 60 and not in the best of health and keeping on top of it seems overwhelming. I too haven't made any videos lately do to the time I have to spend on this obnoxious weed and my food forest looks like crap because of it. Thank you for sharing the other side of this plant, People need to be aware of it. Much love and blessings :)

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

I get a lot of hate from this video, I just donʻt understand why, itʻs such a pain in the butt!

[@bobstar8773]

Do you live in Darwin by any chance??

[@freespirit2194]

@@bobstar8773 No. I'm in Far North Queensland. up towards Cairns a little inland. Very similar climate though. Hot all year with a summer rainy season.

[@bobstar8773]

Bummer I really would like some, I have looked for it here in Darwin and have had no luck 🥴

[@freespirit2194]

I looked up an invasive weed site for my area and it listed the places its been spotted and I went and got some cuttings. You could try that .Much blessings :)

[@judioerrante7976]

You are vilifying a great plant that has many benefits to the soil, feed cattle, chickens, attract pollinators, erosion control, etc. Remember, everything is solved with the right management. Cut the plant down right to the base, strip the leaves from the woody stems. Leave the stems to die in a dry place if you don't want more plants to grow and use all the leaves as fodder and green fertilizer for other plants.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

So many people love this plant, but I don’t know if you all know how bad this plant can be in the wrong spot. I don’t have dry places to let woody stems dry out and die. I live in east Hawaii, they all sprout no matter what. There are better plants that do the same job and don’t spread. I can do everything you mentioned with an ice cream bean and the branches don’t root when I cut them

[@cass77788]

it does not come back here in OK you have to plant it each year. I love it so I use it as a pollinator!! it's my fav!!!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It’s a great plant, in some places

[@EcoscapeIndia]

100 per cent true...Mexican sunflower is a spoiler of our native ecosystem in India! Farmers are struggling now 😩😩😩😩Thanks for a sensible video!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Thanks for saying that. I’ve gotten a lot of flak for this video from many out there who don’t see what a pain this plant can be. All I know, it does not work at my place

[@EcoscapeIndia]

@@HomesteadinHawaii I support you because I feel the same pain 😭😭😭😭😭 and I feel very pity for the people who still believe that this plant is good even after hearing from you! I have request to you that whether I can use part of this video to create video to make our people aware of this species. Kindly permit!

[@marymalko5105]

@@EcoscapeIndia feel free to use the video. And thanks for your support!

[@EcoscapeIndia]

@@marymalko5105 thank uuuuuuu

[@tjcihlar1]

What is merely pretty in decorative in one area can be out of control in another.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Completely

[@russelldetroit]

The Jerusalem artichoke is 10 times worse. It spread underneath the sidewalk to the grass on the other side of the sidewalk. It was insane!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Ouch. Watch out what you plant

[@222mmax]

i would love to have this plant. so i don't have to get mulch. watching your video and reading the comments, i learned more about the plants. there are good and bad having this plant. depending on your needs it can be very useful or not

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Depending on where you live, trust me on thiis, you have to watch out or it’ll get carried away really quickly

[@MrChangeordie]

He had me rolling when he said "every month he spends hours chopping this plant down" 🤣🤣🤣 but is it drought tolerant, will it grow in the desert?

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

It likes wet climates. I don’t think it would thrive as much in dryer climates. It grows overnight where I live.

[@MrChangeordie]

@@HomesteadinHawaii Thanks 😎👍

[@HomerDaMan]

The best worst endorsement and a smart way to get the video as number 1 result!

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Sometime you have to post something controversial

[@peggy6136]

In Hawaii even orchids grow wild 😜

[@SulcataGrove]

I regret planting this in Florida as well. The stumps are easy to trip on and challenging to dig out. I’ve burned a lot of it this year. Two or three more areas to go. My animals won’t eat it either.

[@HomesteadinHawaii]

Yeah. I’ve been slowly taming it but still have a few areas to demolish. I hate this plant